Liam Kennedy's player ratings: How Miguel Almiron and his Newcastle United team-mates fared in CSKA Moscow draw
By Joe Nicholson
Published 17th Feb 2019, 09:43 GMT
Updated 17th Feb 2019, 10:17 GMT
Newcastle United were held to a 1-1 draw in a friendly with CSKA Moscow - but how did each player perform?
Rafa Benitez gave a run out to 22 of his 23 fit players at the Pinatar Arena, where Salomon Rondon's opener was cancelled out by Abel Hernandez. Our man Liam Kennedy has dished out his player ratings following the game - scroll down and flick through our gallery to see who shone and who struggled.
Miguel Almiron played 45 minutes against CSKA Moscow.
He may not have featured at all in the first-team plans this season but Darlow really put his hands up with this performance. If there's one way to get noticed it's with some breathtaking stops - and Darlow produced the goods.
Excellent with the ball but some may question his ability without when, particularly when talking about the defensive basics. But Schar was United's best defender on Saturday. 8
Was tested with the movement of main CSKA striker Abel Hernandez and had to put in a couple of last ditch challenges. Has been United's most improved defender over the last few weeks. 7
Read the game really well against CSKA. Made at least one goal saving interception, with a whole lot more vital blocks and tackles in the mix. Looked a whole lot more assured than in the Wolves loss, where he was shaky at best. 7
Very impressive performance from the right-back, a far cry from the disappointment of his Molineux show. It was clearly a tactic to get the full-back in the game as much as possible and Yedlin took his opportunity. 8
Took him around 20 minutes to get his first real touch of the ball and at times there seemed a reluctance to use the player out on the left. Harsh mark but it is difficult to judge someone who had so little impact in 45 minutes. 5
Far from his fluent best but this was a game in which the player felt his way back into action. It will be a tough call for Rafa not to throw the reliable, tidy and dependable midfielder in from the off against Huddersfield. 6
Missed one early opportunity for United, should really have scored. Like the rest of the side in the first half he impressed with his energy and willingness to break forward but as the half wore on so did Diame's influence. 6
For 15 minutes he was involved in everything United did well. But when the goal went in he was not the only one whose intensity seemed to drop. A real danger early on with his pace and ability on the ball.
It may only have been a friendly but from minute one you could see the player's body language was not right. From being such a key player at the back end of last season he's lost his way totally this. 2
